The Synopsis:
Elizabeth Flintbury is engaged to marry the handsome and wealthy Robert Chauncey. But when she receives a strange and disturbing letter from her fiancé, she sacrifices her family and reputation to come to his aid. When she learns that he has gone missing, she must investigate the circumstances if she ever hopes to find him. But as she unravels the mystery she discovers that it may be she who is in the greatest danger. She needs the help of a drunken gambler, a fallen naval hero, and a disagreeable stranger to survive.
Remember how I compared Nanowrimo to running a race? Well it's time to start running!Good luck to all those participating in Nanowrimo 2009!
Happy writing!
ETA: I Literally intended to begin my prologue at midnight and just discovered my laptop was dead. Is it a sign?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
10:43 pm: I begin writing a novel at midnight and have 30 days to complete said task. To prepare, I am giving myself until mid-night (when I will begin my prologue) to write a synopsis.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
T-4 Days: Runners to your marks
"Four! Four days! Uh, uh, uh!
I was a part of the track and field team when I was in junior high school. I participated to hang out with my ex-boyfriend and buddies (good times) not because I was an athlete. When I competed I tried my best, excelling at long jump and reliable in 100m and 200m dashes and relays. Waiting in the starting block was the worst feeling in the world. It was worse than going on auditions, worse than giving speeches, worse than job interviews, performances, and all the attention that special occassions (milestone birthdays, wedding, etc.) ever gave me.
You wait and feel two opposites at the same time. You can feel your muscles twitch in anticipation and your body trying to remain motionless as you wait for the gun. The entire race goes through your mind as you wait and imagine whether or not this might be victory.
Now 16 years later, I no longer take any pleasure running and don't even know if my nearly-30-years-old body could manage. I lost interest with track when I broke up with my boyfriend just before summer vacation in 1992.
So why the anxiety of waiting in the runner's block?
See: www.nanowrimo.org
As November fast approaches I prepare my monthly-mental-to-do-list. Nothing interesting; events I will be attending, work related functions, home projects, special occassions. But it's unique and different than any other month because I intend to write a 50,000 + novel by the 30th.
I did it last year. I won last year (polishes Nanowrimo 2008 badge with sleeve). Confident this year...
But instead of 30 days and nights consumed by writing a novel, I am having back surgery. Minus a hospital stay and time heavily medicated by pain releiving drugs, I imagine I might only have 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to work on my novel.
But that's what makes a challenege. Even though you may have been previously successful, or even if you haven't, you find something to improve upon. Raise the bar, set a higher goal, reach for the stars kind of inspiration. If I did it in 30 days last year, I'm going to do it in 23 days this year. If I have 30 days to do it next year, I want to write 60,000 words.
Goals (and people or causes to enforce them) are what we need to avoid procrastination and help us maintain our focus. It's what we do research for, and post on the Nano forums for, and write out notecards and outlines.
One goal. Get ready.
On your mark, get set...
October 28, 2009: T-4 days to Nanowrimo!
I was a part of the track and field team when I was in junior high school. I participated to hang out with my ex-boyfriend and buddies (good times) not because I was an athlete. When I competed I tried my best, excelling at long jump and reliable in 100m and 200m dashes and relays. Waiting in the starting block was the worst feeling in the world. It was worse than going on auditions, worse than giving speeches, worse than job interviews, performances, and all the attention that special occassions (milestone birthdays, wedding, etc.) ever gave me.
You wait and feel two opposites at the same time. You can feel your muscles twitch in anticipation and your body trying to remain motionless as you wait for the gun. The entire race goes through your mind as you wait and imagine whether or not this might be victory.
Now 16 years later, I no longer take any pleasure running and don't even know if my nearly-30-years-old body could manage. I lost interest with track when I broke up with my boyfriend just before summer vacation in 1992.
So why the anxiety of waiting in the runner's block?
See: www.nanowrimo.org
As November fast approaches I prepare my monthly-mental-to-do-list. Nothing interesting; events I will be attending, work related functions, home projects, special occassions. But it's unique and different than any other month because I intend to write a 50,000 + novel by the 30th.
I did it last year. I won last year (polishes Nanowrimo 2008 badge with sleeve). Confident this year...
But instead of 30 days and nights consumed by writing a novel, I am having back surgery. Minus a hospital stay and time heavily medicated by pain releiving drugs, I imagine I might only have 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to work on my novel.
But that's what makes a challenege. Even though you may have been previously successful, or even if you haven't, you find something to improve upon. Raise the bar, set a higher goal, reach for the stars kind of inspiration. If I did it in 30 days last year, I'm going to do it in 23 days this year. If I have 30 days to do it next year, I want to write 60,000 words.
Goals (and people or causes to enforce them) are what we need to avoid procrastination and help us maintain our focus. It's what we do research for, and post on the Nano forums for, and write out notecards and outlines.
One goal. Get ready.
On your mark, get set...
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Testing the Waters
Research
Before you write the first word in your novel, you should begin with research. Research is essential when you are writing historical fiction (as is the case with my novel) and is a valuable tool for any author to have. While you might think research is unnecessary, it can provide fleshy details and further insight that will provide you with the support you need to write a novel full of detail and accuracy. Some authors may research more than others, but they all begin with research.
No idea what your novel is going to be about? Research! Is your story set in a location where you have never been? Research! Need a Hungarian name for your character’s uncle? Research!
Books are my preferred source of information. This helps to ensure that information I am including in my novel is accurate vs. internet browsing which often produces search results ranging from fan pages to out of date information. But the internet also has many sources that you might never find in a bookstore or library. Use your discretion in determining whether or not the information is relevant to you.
And don’t forget that this is your story. If you want all humans to have tails, make it so.
Recommended Sources:
Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/library/libarch-digital.html
Wikipedia: http://www.wikipedia.org/
Ask.com: http://www.ask.com/
From Nanowrimo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3263715
Outlining
Have an idea, or a better understanding of an idea, for your novel now? Try outlining. Outlining helps the author map out the progression of their novel. A to-do list. As much or as little detail can be included and your outline can be formatted however you wish.
Sample Outlines:
I. Chapter One
a. Chapter One Synopsis
i. Characters
ii. Setting
II. Chapter Two
a. Chapter Two Synopsis
i. Characters
ii. Setting
OR
- Boy meets girl.
- Girl hates boy.
- Girl falls in love with boy.
- Boy breaks girl’s heart.
There is no right or wrong way to outline. Create and develop one that suits you. Outlines can be totally random thoughts or organized neatly into step by step detailed instructions for you to follow as you write.
Other Samples:
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/870156
http://www.rc.net/hvs/mrv/novout.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2110891_outline-a-novel.html
Character Development Sheets
Knowing and understanding who your characters are is crucial. Don’t underestimate the fact that characters have a mind of their own and are known to misbehave. Yes, they are fictitious, but their interactions with other characters and their reaction to different situations you throw at them cause different characters to behave in different ways. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes your characters unique. It is your goal as an author to know more about your characters than the reader ever will.
Character development sheets are another helpful tool. While there is no single format universally accepted, many will include the obvious biographical details and character stats: Name, DOB, birthplace, father’s name, mother’s name, siblings, etc… After the biographical information, most sheets include a list of questions for you to answer about that particular character. How long does your character sleep each night? What is your character afraid of? What is one secret your character hasn’t told their best friend? What does your character do for dinner: where does he eat, what does he eat, who is there?
Some questions seem pointless in answering, but you might be surprised at what you discover and conclude from your study sheet. Try also to avoid answering questions with a simple yes or no. Explain your answers and get the most from your efforts.
Two other character exercises I have done in preparation for Nanowrimo are:
Write a letter from the author to the characters: What do you expect from your characters?
Write a letter from a character to the author: Does your character simply protest, are they happy, or do they demand that you make changes to their role in you story?
Some Sample Character Development Sheets:
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/jun98/lazy2.htm
http://www.pameladowd.com/Adobe/CharacterDevelopmentChart.PDF
What else?
Repeating what I mentioned in a previous entry, make a schedule and stick to it. Your story doesn’t write itself.
Always write.
And use your discretion when determining what information you find most useful about novel writing. We are all different and what works for one author, might not for a different author.
Happy writing.
Before you write the first word in your novel, you should begin with research. Research is essential when you are writing historical fiction (as is the case with my novel) and is a valuable tool for any author to have. While you might think research is unnecessary, it can provide fleshy details and further insight that will provide you with the support you need to write a novel full of detail and accuracy. Some authors may research more than others, but they all begin with research.
No idea what your novel is going to be about? Research! Is your story set in a location where you have never been? Research! Need a Hungarian name for your character’s uncle? Research!
Books are my preferred source of information. This helps to ensure that information I am including in my novel is accurate vs. internet browsing which often produces search results ranging from fan pages to out of date information. But the internet also has many sources that you might never find in a bookstore or library. Use your discretion in determining whether or not the information is relevant to you.
And don’t forget that this is your story. If you want all humans to have tails, make it so.
Recommended Sources:
Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/library/libarch-digital.html
Wikipedia: http://www.wikipedia.org/
Ask.com: http://www.ask.com/
From Nanowrimo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3263715
Outlining
Have an idea, or a better understanding of an idea, for your novel now? Try outlining. Outlining helps the author map out the progression of their novel. A to-do list. As much or as little detail can be included and your outline can be formatted however you wish.
Sample Outlines:
I. Chapter One
a. Chapter One Synopsis
i. Characters
ii. Setting
II. Chapter Two
a. Chapter Two Synopsis
i. Characters
ii. Setting
OR
- Boy meets girl.
- Girl hates boy.
- Girl falls in love with boy.
- Boy breaks girl’s heart.
There is no right or wrong way to outline. Create and develop one that suits you. Outlines can be totally random thoughts or organized neatly into step by step detailed instructions for you to follow as you write.
Other Samples:
http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/870156
http://www.rc.net/hvs/mrv/novout.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2110891_outline-a-novel.html
Character Development Sheets
Knowing and understanding who your characters are is crucial. Don’t underestimate the fact that characters have a mind of their own and are known to misbehave. Yes, they are fictitious, but their interactions with other characters and their reaction to different situations you throw at them cause different characters to behave in different ways. It’s what makes us unique. It’s what makes your characters unique. It is your goal as an author to know more about your characters than the reader ever will.
Character development sheets are another helpful tool. While there is no single format universally accepted, many will include the obvious biographical details and character stats: Name, DOB, birthplace, father’s name, mother’s name, siblings, etc… After the biographical information, most sheets include a list of questions for you to answer about that particular character. How long does your character sleep each night? What is your character afraid of? What is one secret your character hasn’t told their best friend? What does your character do for dinner: where does he eat, what does he eat, who is there?
Some questions seem pointless in answering, but you might be surprised at what you discover and conclude from your study sheet. Try also to avoid answering questions with a simple yes or no. Explain your answers and get the most from your efforts.
Two other character exercises I have done in preparation for Nanowrimo are:
Write a letter from the author to the characters: What do you expect from your characters?
Write a letter from a character to the author: Does your character simply protest, are they happy, or do they demand that you make changes to their role in you story?
Some Sample Character Development Sheets:
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/jun98/lazy2.htm
http://www.pameladowd.com/Adobe/CharacterDevelopmentChart.PDF
What else?
Repeating what I mentioned in a previous entry, make a schedule and stick to it. Your story doesn’t write itself.
Always write.
And use your discretion when determining what information you find most useful about novel writing. We are all different and what works for one author, might not for a different author.
Happy writing.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
From Nanowrimo: Letter From the Characters
From Nanowrimo: Letter From the CharactersOctober 16, 2009
Letter from my characters...
***
Dear Author,
You have been getting to know us and planning wonderful things for us. We look forward to all you have in store…
However, we are deeply concerned with your interest in making the fictitious lives of others miserable. Please accept our apologies if we have misbehaved or offended you in some way. Although some of us do not get along, collectivley we feel that it is your intention to hurt us all and make us suffer in the name of your own amusement. We have made the following requests and hope you will amuse us in return. Please consider the following:
Elizabeth: A broken heart hurts. Please do not take my William away.
Thomas: Must I be shot?
Edward: May I have a woman, please?
Charlotte: Am I unworthy of being the MC?
Anne: Please don’t kill my father!
We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of requests and look forward to working with you.
Best Wishes,
The Guild of Characters in an Untitled Work
Letter from my characters...
***
Dear Author,
You have been getting to know us and planning wonderful things for us. We look forward to all you have in store…
However, we are deeply concerned with your interest in making the fictitious lives of others miserable. Please accept our apologies if we have misbehaved or offended you in some way. Although some of us do not get along, collectivley we feel that it is your intention to hurt us all and make us suffer in the name of your own amusement. We have made the following requests and hope you will amuse us in return. Please consider the following:
Elizabeth: A broken heart hurts. Please do not take my William away.
Thomas: Must I be shot?
Edward: May I have a woman, please?
Charlotte: Am I unworthy of being the MC?
Anne: Please don’t kill my father!
We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of requests and look forward to working with you.
Best Wishes,
The Guild of Characters in an Untitled Work
From Nanowrimo: Letter to the Characters
From Nanowrimo: Letter to the Characters October 13, 2009
From me to my characters…
***
Dear Elizabeth,
Enjoy your life now.
I’ll soon be taking everything away from you and breaking your heart. There’s going to be a lot of trouble for you and life is going to be very tough. But look on the brighter side of this dim situation… you’re my star! You’ll see new places and make new friends.
The ending is not exactly going to be a happy one either, but the journey will be exciting.
Hang in there!
Wishing You my Best,
Jennifer
***
Dear Thomas,
I like you very much despite your temper and chronich seriousness. You won’t appreciate the good things you have and accept that life is bad rather than making it better.
And I must confess, I think I have a book crush on you, too.
But you’re going to fall in love and have your heartbroken. But she’s worth dying for… and you might have to.
Do your best to be handsome!
With Affection,
Jennifer
Happy writing!
From me to my characters…
***
Dear Elizabeth,
Enjoy your life now.
I’ll soon be taking everything away from you and breaking your heart. There’s going to be a lot of trouble for you and life is going to be very tough. But look on the brighter side of this dim situation… you’re my star! You’ll see new places and make new friends.
The ending is not exactly going to be a happy one either, but the journey will be exciting.
Hang in there!
Wishing You my Best,
Jennifer
***
Dear Thomas,
I like you very much despite your temper and chronich seriousness. You won’t appreciate the good things you have and accept that life is bad rather than making it better.
And I must confess, I think I have a book crush on you, too.
But you’re going to fall in love and have your heartbroken. But she’s worth dying for… and you might have to.
Do your best to be handsome!
With Affection,
Jennifer
Happy writing!
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